Lawn Care Guide for La Plata County
La Plata County, Colorado
USDA SSURGO / PHZMThis week in La Plata County · next up in 6 days (Aug 3)
Get ready to seed cool-season grass — the best fall window is about to open.
Data Story
About Lawn Care in La Plata County, Colorado
Challenging High-Altitude Lawn Care
With a score of 32.6, La Plata falls below the state average of 37.4, indicating a difficult environment for traditional turf. This Zone 6a county requires more effort and resources to maintain green spaces than the national median of 50.0.
Short Growing Seasons and Cool Nights
Precipitation averages 20.1 inches, but a short growing season reflected by just 1,754 growing degree days limits recovery time. Only 10 extreme heat days occur annually, reducing the risk of mid-summer scorch compared to the eastern plains.
Prioritize Local Soil Testing
While specific soil data for this county is limited, the region's high elevation often features rocky or varied textures. Residents should prioritize local soil tests to check for nutrient deficiencies before starting a fertilization program.
Persistent Drought Challenges
The entire county remains in at least abnormally dry conditions, having spent all 53 of the last weeks in drought. Conserving water is critical as 5.9% of the area currently faces severe drought conditions.
Selecting Hardy Mountain Grasses
Cool-season grasses like Fine Fescue thrive in the milder summers and Zone 6a winters. Aim for seeding after the late May 31st spring frost to ensure the soil is sufficiently warm for germination.
Lawn Difficulty Score
Top Grass Fit for La Plata County
Cool-season grasses are the general fit here
County soil and zone data are incomplete, so we show a category recommendation rather than a precise cultivar score for La Plata County.
Recommended Grasses
Buffalograss
Bouteloua dactyloides
Blue Grama
Bouteloua gracilis
Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea
Choosing grass in La Plata County
Severe drought (53 wk in drought / yr) and short growing season (121-day window) are the two things working hardest against a lawn in La Plata County. Here's how to choose for both — then the specific pick.
- Drought-tolerant grass seedWhat survives where water is scarce and often restricted.
- Germinating fast in a short windowPre-germination and priming when the season is tight.
- Tall Fescue, explainedTraits, care, and where Tall Fescue wins — the species behind your top match.
Top match for La Plata County: Tall Fescue
See the full breakdownPremium Grass Seeds is a sister site in our network. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through its retailer links — this never affects your price. Guidance here reflects your county’s climate and soil data, not hands-on testing.
Climate Snapshot
Annual Precip
20.1"
Growing Degree Days
1,754.033
Base 50F
Last Spring Frost
05/31
First Fall Frost
09/29
Days Above 95F
10
Hardiness Zone
6a
Seeding Calendar — La Plata County
Personalized to this county’s frost dates — a 121-day growing season. Windows below are computed from local last-spring and first-fall frost normals, so they differ county-to-county even within USDA Zone 6A.
Plan your seeding — La Plata County
Pick a grass and a goal to get a personalized schedule anchored to this county’s frost dates.
- 1Prepare the seedbedMay 30 – Jun 12
Mow low, dethatch or rake, and loosen the top ½ inch of soil so seed makes good contact.
- 2Sow seedJun 13 – Jul 11
Best window to sow Buffalograss in La Plata County, anchored to your local frost dates.
- 3EstablishJul 12 – Aug 8
Protect young seedlings: mow only after they reach ~3 inches and hold off on weed pre-emergents until established.
Keep the seedbed consistently moist — roughly ¼ inch of water daily, split into shorter cycles if the surface dries out quickly. County-specific soil texture isn’t available here, so adjust to how fast your own soil drains.
Seasonal Lawn Care Checklist
Spring
- Apply pre-emergent herbicide when soil reaches 55F
- Begin mowing when grass reaches 3 inches
- Start irrigation if rainfall is below 1 inch/week
- Soil test every 2-3 years — adjust lime or sulfur as needed
Summer
- Mow at recommended height weekly
- Water deeply 1-2 times per week (1 inch total)
- Avoid fertilizing cool-season grasses in peak heat
- Scout for grubs and treat if >10 per sq ft
Fall
- Overseed warm-season lawns if thinning
- Apply fall fertilizer (highest N application for cool-season)
- Continue mowing until growth stops
- Rake or mulch leaves to prevent smothering
Winter
- Apply pre-emergent for winter weeds
- Service mower and sharpen blades
- Plan spring soil amendments based on fall test
- Keep lawn clear of debris
Watering Deficit Calculator
Monthly Deficit
1.9"
inches of water
Monthly Water
6,050
gallons
Estimated Monthly Cost
$48.40
at $0.008/gallon average
Estimates based on 20" annual precipitation and estimated evapotranspiration. Actual costs vary by local water rates.
Common Lawn Problems in La Plata County
Drought Stress
With only 20 inches of annual rainfall, lawns in La Plata County face significant drought stress. Consider drought-tolerant grass species and deep, infrequent watering.
Persistent Drought Conditions
La Plata County experienced drought conditions for 53 of the past 52 weeks. Prioritize water-efficient grasses and consider reducing lawn area.
Learn more about regional lawn challenges at The Lawn Report.
Lawn Care Advisory: La Plata County
Lawn Verdict
La Plata County sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a, a transitional zone where cool-season grasses dominate but some warm-season varieties can survive. with winter lows reaching around -10.0°F. though only 1,754.033 growing degree days favor cool-season varieties like Kentucky bluegrass and fescue. Moderate rainfall (20.1 inches) generally supports healthy lawns with minimal supplemental watering.
Seasonal Breakdown
Wait until after May 31 to seed or overseed; soil temperatures should consistently reach 50-55°F. Cool summers (July averages 67.0°F) reduce heat stress — maintain regular mowing and moderate watering. Aerate and overseed cool-season lawns by early fall, well before September 29; this is the best renovation window. Cool winters (January averages 24.0°F) mean slow or dormant growth; keep debris off the lawn.
Watering Guidance
Low annual precipitation (20.1 inches) makes irrigation essential for maintaining green turf through summer. Currently, 100.0% of the county is in abnormally dry according to the US Drought Monitor. Cool summers reduce water demand; overwatering is a bigger risk than drought stress.
Regional Context
La Plata County is close to the Colorado average temperature, it is somewhat wetter than the state average, USDA zone 6a helps guide grass selection compared to neighboring counties.
Want detailed soil composition, drainage classes, and soil series data? View soil details on SoilByCounty.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What USDA hardiness zone is La Plata County in?
What is the best grass for La Plata County?
How long is the growing season in La Plata County?
How much rainfall does La Plata County get?
Data sourced from USDA SSURGO, NOAA Climate Normals (1991-2020), USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, and US Drought Monitor. Lawn difficulty scores and grass recommendations are estimates for informational purposes only.
Explore more data for La Plata County